Happy Thursday! God continues to show His love for us. He works through our unexpected to give us perspective on the things that matter and concern Him. Join me as we continue our reading in Acts chapter 13.

Bible Verse – Acts 13:9-12

“⁹ Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye.  ¹⁰ Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?  ¹¹ Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

¹² When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.”

Key Points

• This is the first time Saul is referred to as Paul in the book of Acts.

• Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and was bold.

• The governor believed.

Reflection

Yesterday, we talked about reassessing our circles. We read about Elymas the sorcerer and his attempt to keep the governor from hearing and believing the word of God. Saul now referred to as Paul knew first hand what it was like not to believe. Paul was the very person who persecuted Christians before he found himself on a Damascus road, became blind (Acts chapter nine), and later believed.

Paul believed and his life turned from persecuting to preaching and teaching the Good News. Paul was on fire for Christ. The Holy Spirit gave him power and boldness to stare the sorcerer in the eye and say,“¹⁰ You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? ¹¹ Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” The similarity of the sorcerer being struck blind like Paul had been, and the sorcerer needing to be lead around like Paul was lead around was uncanny. While we don’t know if the sorcerer became a believer and turned his life around like Paul did, we have read that the sorcerer would not see sunlight for sometime (v.11). In spite of Paul’s need to rebuke the sorcerer, God’s word and power still prevailed, the governor was astonished and believed.

Take Aways

• God can use us in spite of our past.

• Recognize when Satan is using someone or a situation or a social media post to turn your eyes off God.

• What/Who do you need to stare in the face and rebuke in the name of Jesus?

• Don’t let others discourage you from sharing the Good News – you never know who might believe.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for your forgiveness. Lord, we are not perfect, but you are. Lord forgive us for the times when we failed to belive, for the times when we stood in the way of someone hearing your Word or created confusion because we wanted to be in control. Lord, we repent today. Lord, open our spiritual eyes so that we can see things as you do. Lord, equip us with boldness of faith and the power of Your Holy Spirit to stand against the things that are not of you. Lord, reassess our hearts 💕 and remove anything that doesn’t resemble you from it. Lord, remove racial bias, remove unwarranted fear, and fill us with love for one another. Continue to bring forth permanent change in our hearts – change aligned with you. Lord, we pray for those silently and openly battling cancer today. Lord, we pray that your healing hand will be upon them. Lord, we pray for those going through surgery and chemo, and we ask that you give them peace, strengthen, courage and the right medical physician and treatments for their medical condition. Lord, we lift up those who are battling the disease today. Lord, we also pray for our friends, loved ones and those we don’t know who are battling illnesses and ask for healing. Lord, your word says by Your stripes we are healed. Healer, have your way. In Jesus name, amen.
——–
UPCOMING EVENT

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2017-2030 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.